WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Joe Biden announced Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement on Thursday in a formal press conference saying it was “bittersweet.” Breyer’s retirement is significant on many levels including clearing the way for Biden’s first nomination to the nation’s highest court.
“I’m here today to express the nation’s gratitude to Justice Stephen Breyer,” Biden said.
After nearly three decades on the bench, Breyer is stepping down from the Supreme Court. It began back in 1994 when Breyer was appointed by former president Bill Clinton. Breyer has been a consistent liberal vote on the high court and will leave a lasting legacy.
At the conference on Thursday, Breyer held up a paper replica of the U.S. Constitution and said:.
“People have come to accept this constitution and come to accept the rule of law,” Breyer said.
The 83-year-old supported the Affordable Care Act, he was a critic of the death penalty and a defender of abortion rights.
As his departure comes amid the most conservative court in a generation, Biden plans to stand by his campaign pledge to bring diversity to the bench.
“The person I will nominate will be someone with extraordinary qualifications, character, experience, and integrity and that person will be the first Black woman ever nominated to the Supreme Court.”
Biden said he plans to announce his nominee by the end of February and once that happens, Senate Democrats said they will move fast on the confirmation. He said he will seek Vice President Kamala Harris’ counsel on his selection.
Of local interest, Miami native Ketanji Brown Jackson who served as clerk for Breyer, is considered a front runner to replace the retiring judge.
(See the announcement below.)